Six-times world champion Steve Davis has declared his support for the game's
governing body but he is yet to sign for either side as battle lines are drawn
in the game's civil war.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association has delivered a
hard-line ultimatum to the game's top players who are considering defecting to
the new series which is controlled by Scottish-based Internet company The
Sportsmasters Network.
``I have not signed a contract with anyone but I've been talking to both
sides,'' said Davis.
``TSN have been a catalyst, and any talk of this destroying the game is very
premature. It could be reborn, and I think the players will be the winners.''
The WPBSA bosses have given their members until the end of the month to pledge
their futures to the sport's governing body _ or be excluded from the official
tour next season.
More than 100 professionals attended a players' meeting yesterday at the
Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport _ including probable defectors Mark Williams and
Ronnie O'Sullivan _ to hear WPBSA managing director Jim McKenzie deliver his
uncompromising message.
``We think 10 days is ample time for the players to make up their minds'' said
McKenzie.
``We need to draw a conclusion to this debate. I know it's an important
decision for them to make because many of them have earned fortunes from the
association. But the debate has gone on long enough and caused unnecessary
damage to our game.''